Jury retire for night in osteo trial

Gisborne osteopath Richard James Davis in the dock in the High Court at Wellington. Photo / Mark Mitchell

A jury deliberating in the trial of an osteopath accused of two dozen sex and indecency charges has retired for the night without a verdict.

Richard Davis, 53, of Katikati, is being tried in the High Court at Wellington on 11 counts of unlawful sexual connection and 13 counts of indecent assault in relation to patients at his Gisborne practice.

The charges were brought after 10 female patients alleged Davis touched them inappropriately and performed invasive acts in a sexual manner during treatment.

The Crown claims Davis' touching was deliberate and sexual. The defence claims he was using legitimate osteopathic techniques and any inappropriate touching was accidental or did not happen.

The jury of seven women and five men began their deliberations after Justice David Collins finished summing up about 11.30am today.

They retired about 5.30pm and will resume deliberations tomorrow morning.